Page 101 of Through the Storms
“Did she try to get you to back out?”
“At first, and then she just lost it. I’d never heard her sob like that, but once she’d calmed down, she encouraged me to go. Said she didn’t want me to resent her five years from now if she talked me out of it. We cut through some heavy shit, so now I don’t know what to do.”
“Anything you want to share?”
“I feel like such a bitch.” Lana’s stomach churned. “I can’t believe I missed it.”
Carol screwed up her face. “Missed what?”
“Why she was doing what she was doing.”
“That clears everything up.” Carol smirked.
“Sorry.” Lana ran her hands through her hair. “I just felt so bad. All these years of knowing someone, and I missed the obvious. Am I that self-absorbed?”
“Honey. You’re talking in riddles.”
“Oakley and her devil-may-care attitude. Her bravado. Daring. It was all because she didn’t think she measured up.”
“Oakley?” Carol’s eyes widened. “No disrespect, but she’s never struck me as someone that lacks confidence. Not with the way she struts around.”
“I know, right? And I’ve lived with her, and I never put it together. What kind of girlfriend am I? Maybe I should take the job in California and let her find someone who’s more aware.”
“Back the train up. What did she say that has you so shaken up?”
Lana met Carol’s gaze. “I always thought her drive and daring was because she never quite grew up. She’s still off chasing with her friends like it was some frat party or something. When in reality, she’s been trying to prove herself.”
“Prove herself to who?”
“Me and her dad.”
Carol stared at Lana blankly.
“She and Asher are twins.”
“Yeah, I know that.”
“Oakley never measured up, no matter what she did. Asher was a second-rate football player. He never made it as a starter. Oakley captained the state championship volleyball team. Guess whose games her dad never went to?”
“No, seriously?”
Lana nodded. “She was the valedictorian of her class and got a full ride to the University of Oklahoma, Asher barely got in. Guess which kid he bragged about to all his friends?”
Carol shook her head with a look of disgust on her face. “That’s awful.”
“That’s the way it’s been all her life. She’s the one that put together Two Trees, and she brought Asher along for the ride.”
“Doesn’t she resent him?”
“No, she adores her brother. He’s a great guy. It wasn’t his fault. I think he’s embarrassed by it, but they never talk about it.” Tears rolled down Lana’s face. She swiped them away. “And that stupid fucking tornado-chasing car. That was her ticket to be someone, and here I thought it was another one of her ridiculous schemes.”
“I’m afraid I’m not following.”
“We’ve been together for eight years, and she’s always dodged making a commitment.”
“You’ve lived with her for most of that time. Isn’t that a commitment?”
“Any time I brought up marriage, she’d avoid the subject.”
